Abstract

It has been observed by Kato [J. Phys. Soc. Japan, 1024 (1955)] that fine fibers of NaClO3 form on moist massive crystals of NaClO3 which are slowly desiccated. It is proposed that the growth occurs by a uniaxial screw dislocation mechanism in which the material transport occurs by hydrodynamicflow in an adherent film of solution on the fiber surface. The tractive force for filmflow is furnished by a gradient in surface tension. The film solution becomes more concentrated during its flow to the fiber tip and the gradient in solute concentration causes a gradient in surface tension. The estimated film thickness is about 100 A. Periodic bends in the fiber can be accounted for by periodic precipitation of a minor impurity with limited solid solubility in NaClO3.